Telegraph relay and sounder



(No Model.)

H. HOWSON, J r.

TELEGRAPH RELAY AND SOUNDER.

No. 245,500. Patented Aug. 9,1881.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

HENRY HOWSON, JR, OF PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA.

TELEGRAPH RELAY AND SOUNDER.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 245,500, dated August9, 1881,

Application filed June 20, 1881. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, HENRY HOWSON, Jr., a citizen of the United States,residing in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, have invented certainImprovements in Telegraph Relays and Sounders, of which the following isa specification.

My invention relates to certain improvements in the construction of thetelegraphic instruments known as Morse sounders and relays,

the object of my invention being to provide a simple means of adjustmentofthe electro-magnet in relation to the armature.

In the accon'ipanying drawings, Figure l is a perspective view of myimproved telegraphic instrument; Fig.2, a side view with the franc insection Fig. 3, a rear view; and Fig. 4, a view of a modification of theinstrument when adapted to be used as a relay.

Referring to Figs. 1, 2, and 3, which show the instrument when adaptedto be used as a sounder, A represents the armature, and M M the electromagnet. The electro-magnet in this instance is shown as composed of twocoils or spools connected together at their bases by the cross-piecem.This cross-piece is provided with extensions m, which form pivotsadapted to corresponding recesses or notches in lugs don the frame D ofthe instrument. The outer ends of these extension-pieces are threadedfor the reception of screw-nuts d, by screwing which against washers incontact with the lugs 41 the magnet may be firmly secured in anyposition to which it may be adjusted, Fig. 2. The terminal wires of thecoils of the electro'magnet are connected in the usual manner tosuitable binding-stops, b b, on the base B.

The armature-lever has its conical pivotpoints supported in screws 6 emounted in the yoke E on the upper part of the frame, and the extent ofthe vibrating movement of the armature is limited by the fixed stops toa on the base. The armature is moved in one direction by the attractionof the electro-magnet and in the other by a push-spring, (N, or in somecases the return movement of the armature, when released by theelectro-magnet, may be accomplished simply by the gravity of thearmature-lever, the positions of the stops to a in relation to avertical line through the pivoting-point of the armature being properlyarranged for that purpose.

The armature proper, instead of being a narrow strip of metal, as usual,is in the form of a plate of considerable width, and is curved tocorrespond with the are described by the extremities of the poles of theelectro-magnet in moving the latter from one extreme point of adjustmentto theother, as indicated by dotted lines in Fig.2. But the curve or areof the inner face of the armature, while preferably of nearly the sameradius as the are described by the extremities of the poles of theelectromagnet, is not drawn from the same center, but from a pointeccentric to the pivoting point of the electro-magnet when the end ofthe armature bears against the stop a, so that when the electro-magnetisadjusted to the highestposition indicated by dotted lines in Fig. 2,with its poles neat est the fulcrum of the armature-lever, the saidpoles will be nearest the face of the armature; but as the poles of themagnet are adjusted farther away from the fulcrum, the distance betweenthe said poles and that portion of the face of the armature directlyopposite will be proportionately greater. By this means the distancebetween the poles of the electroanagnet and the face of the arma turecan be readily regulated to free the arm ature from the effects of theresidual magnetism in the magnet, and by the same adjustment thedistance of the point of attraction from the fulcrum of the lever isproportionately regu lated. Thus an increase in the distance between thepoles and the face of the armature is compensated for by an increase inthe distance of the point of attraction from the fulcrum, the adjustmentbeing made, of course, without affecting the circuit-connections in anyway. In the modification shown in Fig. 4 this double adjustment isobtainedin a similar manner by causing the electro-magnet to move overan inclined plane.

The under side of a bar or plate, 111, on the base of the spools M isbeveled and adapted to guides on block it, having acorrespondinglyinclined face. An adjusting screw rod, m turning inhearings on the block n, passes through a threaded opening in the bar ora projection on the bar at. By turning this regulating-screw theelectro-magnet is adjusted so as to bring its poles nearer to or fartherfrom the face of the armature A, and at the same time bring the point ofattraction nearer to or farther from the fulcrum of the arm attirelever, the armature in this case, as in the instrument shown in Fig. 1,being elongated in respect to the poles in the direction of the line ofadjustment.

In order to obtain the adjustment of the magnets in respect to thefulcrum of the armaturelever without reference to and independently ofthe adjustment toward and from the face of the armature proper, theblock it maybe adapted to longitudinal guides on the base B, and beprovided with a regulating screw, it, by which the block andelectro-magnet may be adj usted in a longitudinal line with thearmaturelever without changing the distance between the poles and thearmature when the latter is under the attractive influence ofthe magnet.

The armature-lever in this case is shown as acted on by a push spring,(1?, and as the instrument is illustrated in this View to act as a relaythe extent of vibration is more limited than in the case of the sounder,and the inner striking-face of the armature-leveris insulated, and has aprojecting platinum tip to strike against a corresponding; tip on thestop at. These points are electrically connected with the binding-postsb for the local circuit.

It will be understood that the instrument shown in Figs. '1, 2, and 3may be constructed so that the magnet may be adjusted, as in Fig. 4, inrespect to the fulcrum of the armaturelever, without changing thedistance between the poles of the magnet and the face of the armature bymounting the hearings for the exte'nsion-pivotsm on guides and providingthem with adjusting-screws, as in the case of the block a, Fig. 4:.

I claim as my invention- 1. A relay or sounder in which a vibratingarmature, elongated in respect to the poles of the electro-magnet, iscombined with an electro-magnet having its poles adjustable from andtoward the fulcrum of the armature-lever without breaking the circuit,all substantially as described.

2. A relay or sounder in which a vibrating armature is combined with anelectro-magnet adjustable from and toward the fulcrum of thearmature-lever, and from and toward the face of the armature, whereby,when the magnetis adjusted to increase the distance between the polesand the armature, the same movement will increase the distance betweenthe point of attraction and the fulcrum of the lever.

3. In a relay or sounder, the combination of a vibrating armature havinga widened curved face with an electro magnet adjustable on a pivot, anddevices, substantially as described, for retaining the magnet in anyposition to which it may be adj ustedin relation to the fulcrum of thearmature.

' 4. In a relay or sounder, the combination of an electro-magnetadjustable on a pivot with an armature having a curved face eccentric tothe are described by the poles of the electromagnet when thelatterisadjusted on its pivot, all substantially as and for thepnrposesetforth.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification in thepresence ot'two subscribing witnesses.

HENRY HOWSON, JR. Witnesses:

HUBERT Howson, HARRY SMITH.

